Levi Strauss & Co is taking a futuristic approach when displaying it line of jeans - the company is using models generated by artificial intelligence to show off its clothing and consumers may not be able to tell the difference. Set to launch later this year, the initiative will present AI models in different body types, skin colors ang ages, allowing customers to see how products might look on them. Levi currently displays one human model per clothing item. The San Francisco-based company said'AI will likely never fully replace human models' for the company, but offering a range of digital models will create'a more personal and inclusive shopping experience.' Levi Strauss & Co is set to use AI-generated models to show off its clothing. Can you spot which image is the AI and which is a real person?

AI is becoming strategic for many companies across the world. The technology can be transformative for just about any part of a business. But AI is not easy to implement. Even top-notch companies have challenges and failures. So what can be done? Well, one strategy is to provide AI education to the workforce.

AI is becoming strategic for many companies across the world. The technology can be transformative for just about any part of a business. But AI is not easy to implement. Even top-notch companies have challenges and failures. So what can be done?

Across industries, businesses are now tech and data companies. The sooner they grasp and live that, the quicker they will meet their customer needs and expectations, create more business value and grow. It is increasingly important to reimagine business and use digital technologies to create new business processes, cultures, customer experiences and opportunities. One of the myths about digital transformation is that it's all about harnessing technology. To succeed, digital transformation inherently requires and relies on diversity.

All the sessions from Transform 2021 are available on-demand now. As part of VentureBeat's series of interviews with women and BIPOC leaders in the AI industry, we sat down with Dr. Katia Walsh, chief strategy and artificial intelligence officer, Levi Strauss & Co. In her career she has forged paths for people from every intersection of race, culture, class, and education, giving them the tools they need in an AI- and data-centric world to be creative, solve problems, develop new solutions, and change the game in their roles across their companies. VB: Could you tell us about your background, and your current role at your company? I started my career as a journalist in communist Bulgaria, where I personally experienced the power of information through a story I wrote while still in high school.

Design Coordinator and "denim nerd" Ronald Pritipaul participated in Levi's Machine Learning Bootcamp. Levi Strauss & Co. recently graduated 43 non-technical employees who participated in its inaugural artificial intelligence and machine learning bootcamp, launched in May 2021. The bootcamp is "an intensive, full-time, fully paid eight-week training program where [participants] left their day-to-day jobs to complete this unique program," said a Levi's blog post. "In the bootcamp's inaugural cohort, we trained more than 40 employees -- 63 percent of whom were female, representing 14 locations around the world with employees from corporate, retail stores, distribution centers, and data centers." Participants entered the bootcamp with no background in coding or statistics, and emerged as tech-savvy employees "who know our company, know the business, and now also know data science, and they're applying these skills to actually change the industry," says Levi's Chief Strategy and Artificial Intelligence Officer Katia Walsh.

Levi Strauss & Co. has named Katia Walsh as SVP and Chief Strategy and Artificial Intelligence Officer, effective April 29.

Levi Strauss & Co. is naming a veteran analytical technology executive to the newly created position of senior VP and chief strategy and artificial intelligence officer. Katia Walsh will join Levi Strauss in this role effective April 29, 2019. The position is designed to help the company translate data analytics into decisions that drive business value and competitive advantage. Walsh will be responsible for building the data, analytics and artificial intelligence enablers to support innovation, new business, new business models and strategic growth initiatives. She will report to Chip Bergh, president and CEO, and will be a member of the global leadership team.